Countable and Uncountable Nouns - Meaning, Usage, Differences, Examples

Countable nouns are ones that can be counted as separate entities like people, thing, animals, birds and more. Examples of countable nouns- 

• Picture
• Telephone
• Teacher
• Racquet
• Doctor
• Elephant
• Mouse
• Idea
• Game
• Man
• Ball

Certain rules apply when using the countable nouns. Since the countable nouns definition suggests that nouns can be counted, it has usage rules in different contexts. Check out how countable nouns are used in English Grammar. 

Rule 1: Applicants can use ‘a’ or ‘an’ with countable nouns: 

But some words don't follow this rule. For example, use ‘a’ and not ‘an’ before these words begin with ‘u’. The vowel /u/ in these words sounds like the word /uː/ (U) or /juː/ (you), thus, not a vowel sound. 

Some count nouns don't follow this rule of using ‘a’ before words that begin with /h/, where /h/ is not pronounced in these words but has a vowel-like sound. So in such cases, ‘an’ is used:

Rule 2:  Applicants can use plural countable nouns: telephones, teachers, ideas, games, and mice.

Rule 3: Applicants can use numbers with countable nouns: two beds, five books, ten teachers, three suggestions, etc.

Rule 4: Applicants can also use the quantity words many, more, few, fewer, and some with countable nouns: not many doctors, a few ideas, some tables, and more parties.

Rule 5: Applicants can use numbers or quantity words with count nouns. For example-

Uncountable noun definition is that some nouns are called uncountable nouns, or uncount nouns for short. They are called uncountable because they are nouns that one can't count. 

Uncountable nouns examples:

• water
• cheese
• sugar
• grass
• tea / coffee
• honey
• steel
• plastic
• electricity
• heat
• music

Let us understand, based on uncountable noun definition, how they are also used. 

1. ‘a’ or ‘an’ are not used with uncountable nouns.
2. Uncountable nouns cannot be made plural, this is impossible. (Try making news plural)
3. Numbers are not used with uncountable nouns.
4. Words like 'little', 'less', and 'some' can be used with uncountable nouns, such as- not much, too little, less, and some to make them countable or show that they can be counted.

Now that applicants have understood about countable and uncountable nouns, here is a list of 10 countable and uncountable nouns in the table below-

Now let us, understand how to use countable and uncountable in sentences. 

Countable Noun Examples in Sentences

Here are five countable noun examples in sentences for reference-

1. There are too many cars on the road during the office hour.
2. They visited many cities during their European tour.

Applicants can also try making a few based on the above countable examples in sentences. 

Uncountable Noun Examples

1. Can you give me some advice for the best food in France?
2. Refer to the website since it provides information on various topics.
3. She gained knowledge through reading and experience.
4. There is always heavy traffic during rush hour.

After reading the list of uncountable nouns, applicants can try to make sentences on their own also.

While using or learning to use the countable and uncountable nouns, applicants can keep the following distinction in mind: 

Sometimes, applicants might get stuck between a countable or uncountable noun. To avoid confusion, this table will help applicants understand if it is an uncountable or countable noun. These rules will be essential for applicants preparing for IELTS syllabus and support them in their practice. Countable uncountable nouns knowledge will also help applicants to prepare for:

• IELTS Listening Section
• IELTS Reading Section
• IELTS Writing Section
• IELTS Speaking Section

Additionally, applicants face challenges when using articles with countable and uncountable nouns. Here is a table to help applicants understand where to use the correct article with countable nouns and where it is to be avoided below:

Feeling slightly confused? Keep the following rules for using countable and uncountable nouns handy-

Rules to Make Uncountable Countable

The rule where uncount nouns can be treated as count nouns is simple. Applicants can put words like a piece of before uncount nouns and use them as count nouns. Here are a few examples which make uncountable nouns as countable below:

Applicants can also use numbers and quantities with these words to show the plural form of uncountable nouns, which act as countable after adding quantifiers. For example, one can say: 

• five pieces of paper
• three slices of bread
• a few lumps of sugar
• a few grains of rice

Also, if applicants notice, ‘fruit’ is usually an uncountable noun. For example, one can say- a bowl of fruit. 

But fruit may be as countable nouns too when different kinds of fruits are discussed. For example- Is tomato a vegetable or a fruit?